The ginger is the root of the plant Zingiber officinale, with properties and benefits for digestion, weight loss, and the throat.
This type of rhizome can be consumed as an infusion, either by buying pre-made tea bags or by making thin slices to prepare it at home.
Ginger tea or infusion can be consumed hot, cold, and mixed with lemon, cinnamon, a teaspoon of honey, and other aromatic herbs.
There are many properties and benefits of ginger, and in this article, we are going to tell you all of them. Additionally, you will learn the best ways to prepare it so you can enjoy all its flavor and the multiple uses it has.
Contents
What is ginger and what is it used for
As we mentioned, ginger is the root of a herbaceous zingiberaceous plant called Zingiber officinale. This plant grows tall and spiky, and all its power lies in its root or rhizome, the bulb that we use to prepare infusions, teas, or chop it to add to salads and delicious recipes.
Ginger serves as a diuretic because it increases urination. Its active principles enhance urine formation, causing you to have more frequent urges to urinate, and for this reason, it helps eliminate water retention, as well as reduce intestinal gas.
Weight loss
But also, ginger helps with weight loss. It promotes the elimination of fat because it acts as a thermogenic, that is, as a natural substance that raises the body’s temperature and makes the localized fat, the adipose tissue, begin to dissolve.
Throat
At the same time that it has digestive properties, it also acts as an antiseptic and antibacterial, not to mention its anti-inflammatory properties that are great for everything related to the respiratory tract.
For colds, flu processes, or irritation of the vocal cords, ginger for the throat will help calm itching, discomfort, and hoarseness.
But that’s not all…
In addition to what has been mentioned, it also provides many more properties, which have been known since ancient times since this root has been used since time immemorial. In ancient East, it was used as a spice of incalculable value, and nowadays, it is regaining the same or even more strength than it had, so let’s see everything it can do for you and your health.
Pregnancy
It is well-known for its medicinal properties to calm morning sickness in women during the early weeks of pregnancy.
Ginger and pregnancy is recommended as a natural remedy, it prevents vomiting in the first trimester and reduces the discomfort characteristic of the first gestational period.
However, if you are expecting a baby, you should only consume it as an infusion, one cup a day to relieve symptoms in the first months. A high concentration can be harmful, so avoid supplements that contain it.
Just make a few slices and add them to an infusion as we explained at the end of the article in the section How to take ginger.
Breastfeeding
While breastfeeding, there are no issues with using it. The danger is during pregnancy, but drinking ginger tea while breastfeeding is healthy just like it would be in any other situation.
No cases have been found where the active principles pass into breast milk, so there are no concerns regarding this.
Despite this, it’s always a good idea to take precautions with all medicinal plants and use them moderately.
We recommend drinking ginger and lemon tea instead of other forms of consumption.
Properties and Benefits of Ginger
It contains countless nutrients, vitamins, and acids that are excellent for health. It also has essential amino acids and minerals that, together, make it a very special superfood that should never be missing from your pantry.
But focusing on what matters, we can say that the properties of ginger are:
- Anti-inflammatory.
- Antibacterial.
- Digestive.
- Stimulating gastric juices.
- Carminative (for intestinal gas).
- Anti-hangover (helps with recovery after drinking alcohol) and protects the gastrointestinal mucosa.
- Antiemetic.
- Antiplatelet and antithrombotic.
- Antipyretic.
- Cardiotonic.
- Anti-dizziness.
As you can see, ginger has very good properties, no matter how you take it, though some are better than others, and later on you will be able to see them all.
Anti-inflammatory
It has the ability to block inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes, reducing the inflammatory process. The anti-inflammatory properties of ginger are good for joints, for people with arthritis, osteoarthritis, and those suffering from degenerative diseases where tendon and ligament inflammation occurs.
In many cases, it is used as a home remedy to avoid the consumption of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Of course, always under the recommendation and supervision of a doctor since it is not advisable to do so on our own.
However, people who take it, include a dose of 20 mg of powder extract or 2 grams of root every day for a maximum period of 3 months, experience relief.
Antibacterial
Another of its properties is acting as an antibacterial. When taken, it improves the immune system’s response and promotes the elimination of infections.
While this property should never be used as the only remedy, it helps the body to combat microbes and pathogens more effectively. Viruses and bacteria do not like this type of root.
Digestive (for the stomach)
By stimulating the secretion of gastric juices and acting as an antiemetic, it is highly effective in avoiding heavy digestion.
The ginger root has digestive properties, reducing nausea and easing digestion, improving the absorption of food and the metabolism of the nutrients they contain.
If you tend to have stomach pain, discomfort after eating, or feel bloated, the carminative properties of ginger are likely to help you.
It also stimulates the pancreas and the formation of enzymes to improve digestion, molecules that enhance the chemical reactions of metabolism and allow food to be processed better, as well as making better use of trace elements we ingest with food.
Antithrombotic
Another of its features, which we can include among the benefits of ginger, is that it acts as an anti-platelet aggregator.
Indeed, the Zingiber officinale root has effects in preventing blood clot formation, benefiting the cardiovascular system and blood circulation in general.
By stimulating the circulatory system, it improves oxygenation throughout the body, also providing rubefacient properties, meaning it can cause redness in the skin and mucous membranes, benefiting many processes in the body.
However, people who take medications related to blood circulation should monitor its use as it may enhance their effects see contraindications section).
Antipiréticas (para bajar la fiebre)
Otro de los beneficios del jengibre es que actúa como antipirético, es decir, que baja la fiebre.
Esto es bueno porque se puede utilizar en muchas ocasiones como por ejemplo con resfriados, gripes e infecciones de las vías respiratorias.
El jengibre para bajar la fiebre funciona de forma suave, así que es recomendable usarlo como ayuda, pero nunca como tratamiento.
Para el catarro también favorece la eliminación del tapón de las fosas nasales, mejorando la respiración y aliviando la congestión nasal característica en estas situaciones.
Para el resfriado y tos
Con un efecto analgésico suave, el jengibre para el resfriado nos ayuda a aliviar el dolor en las articulaciones cuando enfermamos, muy común cuando sube la fiebre.
Este uso está muy relacionado con sus propiedades antipiréticas (lee el apartado anterior) y, al funcionar de las dos formas, resulta un remedio natural de lo más efectivo.
Para que tenga mejores efectos contra el resfriado se recomienda tomarlo caliente. Puedes preparar una infusión por la noche y, antes de que se enfríe del todo, añadir una cucharadita de miel, unas gotas de propóleo y descansar.
Por la mañana te sentirás mucho mejor, asegurado.
Además, para mejorar los efectos antigripales, lo ideal es añadir un chorrito de zumo de limón natural para mejorar el aporte de vitamina C y estimular, mucho más, el sistema inmunitario.
Artrosis y artritis
Al tener propiedades antiinflamatorias, es bueno usarlo como remedio casero para el dolor de rodillas, manos hinchadas y todo tipo de dolor articular. El jengibre para la artrosis y artritis sirve como analgésico suave, reduciendo la inflamación y aliviando algunas de las molestias que se producen con el cartílago desgastado o pequeñas fisuras en la articulación.
¿Pero por qué funciona?
Porque tiene muchísimos principios activos y sustancias naturales que el organismo necesita y, también, que actúan como fitoquímicos naturales.
Pero decirlo es muy sencillo. Y, para que puedas comprobar lo que decimos, a continuación, vamos a indicar todo lo que contiene.
Composición del jengibre
Como puedes comprobar a continuación, la composición nutricional y las propiedades medicinales del jengibre son debidas a su gran cantidad de sustancias activas.
Una muy apreciada por muchas personas es el ácido linoleico conjugado que funciona para adelgazar. Si buscas una infusión que te ayude a perder peso, el té de jengibre puede ser ideal como complemento a tu dieta adelgazante. Este ácido es muy utilizado en deportistas para definir y quemar grasa.
Pero, además, la composición completa del jengibre es:
- Ácidos:
- Ascórbico.
- Aspártico.
- Alfalinilénico.
- Aspártico.
- Linoléico.
- Cáprico.
- Caprilico.
- Gadoléico.
- Mirístico.
- Oléico.
- Oxálico.
- Shoagoles:
- Gingerol.
- Fibra.
- Aceites volátiles:
- Alfa-cadineno.
- Alfa-cadinol.
- Alfa-farneseno.
- Beta-bisabolo.
- Beta-bisolobeno.
- Beta-cariofiteno.
- Beta-felandreno.
- Beta-pineno.
- Beta-sesquiffelandreno.
- Canfeno.
- Citral.
- Citronelal.
- Gama-eudesmol.
- Limenen.
- Amino acids:
- Arginine.
- Asparagine.
- Histidine.
- Isoleucine.
- Glutamic.
- Leucine.
- Lysine.
- Methionine.
- Threonine.
- Tryptophan.
- Tyrosine.
- Thronine.
- Valine.
- Vitamins:
- Vitamin B3 or niacin.
- Vitamin C.
- Minerals:
- Aluminum.
- Boron.
- Cobalt.
- Chromium.
- Manganese.
- Phosphorus.
- Silicon.
- Zinc.
- Antioxidants of the flavonoid class.
- Polyphenols.
The medicinal and healing properties of ginger are due to the volatile oils it contains. These are the great advantage of this root compared to other medicinal plants and bulbs used as home remedies.
However, you should keep in mind that, although it is stated that the average volatile oil content is 1.7%, some plants may contain more or less. This is due to variety, cultivation methods, and, if you buy it as an extract, handling and packaging.
We always recommend buying high-quality ginger to ensure it has more potent properties.
Best Active Principles of Ginger
Although it contains many active substances, minerals, and amino acids, the main healing effects of ginger are thanks to its content of bisabolene and zingiberene.
Also, gingerols and shogaols can be highlighted, substances that belong to the sesquiterpene group, not to mention its rich composition in monoterpenes like camphor, etc.
Another highly valued active principle is glutamic acid, which favors the functioning of neurons, improving the operation of nerve signals and the transfer of information between the brain and the rest of the body.
It is also worth noting that ginger contains 50% carbohydrates per gram of weight, and 8% of good, healthy fats.
Contraindications of Ginger
Despite being a natural food, it can cause certain reactions in some people, which is why it is always recommended to carefully read the contraindications of ginger. These include:
- Hypertension.
- Gallstones.
- Anticoagulants.
- Oral sores or ulcers.
- History of gallstones or gallbladder stones.
- High blood pressure.
- Pregnancy. It may interfere with hormone regulation and the baby’s growth.
- Medication. Consult before starting.
It is considered that it may enhance the effects of anti-inflammatory medications and those interacting with the circulatory system, so you should always be careful if you are undergoing such treatments and plan to include ginger in your diet. The contraindications of ginger are more significant if you use a supplement, buy powdered extract, or any remedy made with the root of the Zingiber officinale plant.
The use of anticoagulants and ginger is not recommended.
Other contraindications include suffering from gingivitis, any other type of oral infection, mouth ulcers, etc., as it may cause a burning sensation. Ginger normally has a spicy taste, and if your gums are inflamed, it is more likely that you will experience discomfort when drinking tea or an infusion made from this rhizome.
In the case of pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is not recommended in capsules or tablets. An infusion is harmless, and as we mentioned in the section ginger and pregnancy, it is even healthy for reducing nausea in pregnant women.
However, if you take it in concentrated form (capsules or tablets), it is much easier to experience some of the adverse reactions listed below.
Side Effects
- Stomach burning or heartburn.
- Diarrhea.
- Allergic reaction.
- Increased blood pressure.
Although most people do not experience ginger side effects, it is possible that some individuals may have gastrointestinal discomfort. Generally, this manifests as stomach burning and, less frequently, as diarrhea.
Also, people allergic to Zingiberaceae plants should avoid its consumption, as ginger belongs to this family of herbaceous plants. If consumed, an allergic reaction will occur.
How to Take It
It can be prepared in several ways, although the most common is in tea or by taking ginger capsules sold at health food stores.
But here, for those of us who prefer natural remedies, we will explain the simplest and cheapest way.
How to Prepare Ginger Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 root of ginger.
- A glass of mineral water.
- A slice of lemon.
- A teaspoon of cinnamon.
- Organic honey.
Steps to Prepare and Take Natural Ginger:
- Heat 250 ml of mineral water in a saucepan.
- When it begins to boil, add a few slices of ginger root.
- Let it boil for about 15 to 20 minutes so the active ingredients are released from the plant matter.
- Turn off the heat and remove the saucepan. Cover it to keep the tea warm as it rests.
- Once it is lukewarm, add the slice or a splash of lemon to make it tastier and boost the vitamin C content.
- Add a teaspoon of cinnamon to give it a special flavor.
- Add a teaspoon of honey to improve the taste and add a sweet touch to balance out its spicy properties. Many people wonder what ginger tastes like. Well, it’s spicy and unlike anything you’ve tasted, which is why honey or a natural sweetener is often added to soften its organoleptic properties.
- Put it in the fridge if you like it cold or drink it hot.
You’ve now finished preparing ginger tea with lemon and cinnamon. As you can see, it’s really simple, practical, and clean. You won’t make a mess in the kitchen, and by using the root, you’ll always be sure to get the best properties.
The root, if kept in the pantry away from light and heat, can last for months, so you will always have what you need to enjoy this natural remedy.
